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Fate of wetlands in Henderson's hands

Hong Kong's blistering pursuit of economic development has come at a high price to the environment. Growing concern about pollution has created an awareness that this is not sustainable, leading to increased demand for conservation. We have all got a role to play, but perhaps none more so than the property developers. It is for that reason that Henderson Land should rethink its plan to build 54 luxury houses on sensitive wetlands in Yuen Long.

Henderson acquired the land when the government's environmental policy was considerably weaker. Community consultation under the 1994 rules was unheard of and the concerns of environmental groups were little heeded. But we have come a long way in terms of our understanding and our desires and what applied then is no longer acceptable - regulations have been markedly updated in line with those aspirations.

However, if the government gives the company approval for the project by a December 18 deadline, it will be the old standards, not the new, that can be adhered to. Such a decision would have far-reaching consequences - not only the site at Nam Sang Wai risks being jeopardised, but so too would other nearby wetlands which are also in the hands of developers under the same terms. If they are damaged, wildlife breeding and nursery grounds, bird habitats and natural water-purification systems could be damaged or destroyed.

Hong Kong has signed the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty to protect and sustain wetlands. It aims to stem their loss from economic encroachment and calls on signatories to recognise their ecological, cultural, scientific and recreational benefits. We have to do all we can to live up to the agreement.

There are options for the Nam Sang Wai site. The government could preserve it by offering Henderson an equivalent parcel of land with lower ecological worth. It could demand that the developer adhere to the stricter rules. But the best move would be for the company to voluntarily make that choice, proving it is a responsible member of the community. That is, after all, how we must all behave.

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